I am having a candle-light ceremony (which I always wanted) and reception at the Milleridge Cottage on March 1, 2003. Guests will arrive at 7pm and they'll be butler served champagne and fruit until 7:30pm when the ceremony will begin. The ceremony will go until 8pm, at which time the cocktail will follow immediately. So, the reception is from 9-1am.
March 1st is a Saturday and 70% of my crowd is under the age of 40. When we began our planning, FH and I set our priorities. One of which that was at the very top of the priority list was a Saturday night reception to set the tone for a full blown party celebration. Lately, I've been having concerns about whether or not the reception is too late. Will everyone stay till the end??? Will people think this is too late to eat? Will folks be too tired? FH and I did consider these questions initially, but after considering the age of our guests etc., we decided that people will have the invitation and understand to prepare for a late night, etc. Just wondering what you ladies were thinking in this regard.
Worst comes to worse I could, forego the precocktail, hold the ceremony from 7pm to 7:30pm w/ cocktail immediately thereafter and have the reception end at 12:30am. Or, see it the hall will budge on moving our time up from 7pm to 6pm, so that our reception can end at 12am. (There is nothing booked before us, YET.)
Sorry so long. FH always makes fun of me because I over explain things. I guess brevity has never been my thing...
Should I calm down and assume everything will be okay OR, play with the times for an earlier ending OR, prepare for battle with the hall to move us up? The way things are going I'll be old and grey by the time March roles around. Thanks ladies!
Claud2001
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Re: NEED OPINIONS PLEASE: 'Late Receptions'
First of all, I think that you should plan your wedding to make YOU and FI happy, not everyone else.
Secondly, ditto to what Valenia said, 'A few people **WILL** leave early regardless of the time of your wedding. Plan the wedding how you want it. I have never been to a wedding any day or time that some people didn't leave early for whatever reason.'
V&S03
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Re: NEED OPINIONS PLEASE: 'Late Receptions'
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akatyme
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Re: NEED OPINIONS PLEASE: 'Late Receptions'
Ladies, You are ALL awesome Thanks for your candid advice and feedback. FH and I read each one of your responses. You have helped to reconfirm that the hours will work out just fine.
If we loose a few early birds, that'll only leave MORE ROOM on the dance floor for me and my dancing shoes.
Take care, and thanks again for easing my mind!!!
dkga1026
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Re: NEED OPINIONS PLEASE: 'Late Receptions'
i think some of the older people may get a bit cranky...but for the most part you should be okay...i am with you, saturday night doesn't even begin until after 9pm!!!! we did the same thing as you, except my church was earlier in the afternoon so people were waiting around even longer....but it was our day and we knew that the people who loved us and those we wanted around would stick around anyway!!!
just edited to say that i got my dress from charisol too...they do a really nice job!!!
LnP2003
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Re: NEED OPINIONS PLEASE: 'Late Receptions'
Here's my thought process. If they care enough.... they'll stay, and if not, why do you care.... you just married your best friend!!!!!!
Tammy5-03
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Re: NEED OPINIONS PLEASE: 'Late Receptions'
I think you're wedding will be beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing. You picked a Saturday for just that reason. If most of the guests are young, they usually are just getting started at 1am. They will probably be looking for the after-party when your hall kicks them out at 1. Don't worry about the ones that will leave, some people leave early even if they don't have anything else to do-the time doesn't make a difference.
